Product Details

• Actors: Peter Auty, Raymond Briggs
• Directors: Dianne Jackson
• Format: Animated, Closed-captioned, Color, Dubbed, Full Screen, NTSC, Subtitled
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo), French (Unknown)
• Subtitles: English, French
• Dubbed: French
• Region: Region 1 encoding (US and Canada only)
  PLEASE NOTE: Some Region 1 DVDs may contain Regional Coding Enhancement (RCE). Some, but not all, of our international customers have had problems playing these enhanced discs on what are called "region-free" DVD players. For more information on RCE, click .
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
• DVD Release Date: October 24, 2006
• Run Time: 26 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (349 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000HIVIOW
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #21,105 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• Learn more about "Raymond Briggs' The Snowman" on IMDb

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This charming British animated short film (it's just 23 minutes long) is a 1982 production of London's Channel 4, based on the classic children's book by Raymond Briggs and crafted with a colored-pencils-on-paper look, like fluffy, hand-drawn illustrations. Small children should be entranced by the story of a small boy in rural England whose lovingly constructed snowman comes to life and takes him flying over the white-blanketed landscapes, in a beautiful rotoscoped (traced) sequence based on live-action flying footage. Part of the charm of the film is the gentle, everyday quality of its fantasy adventures: the snowman is invited in to try on clothes and play with the Christmas decorations, then plays host to the boy at a party in the woods, at which his snowy relatives do English country dances. This is one of the very few Christmas tapes on the market that really deserves to be a holiday perennial, a gentle fable of friendship and the power of imagination. --David Chute

Product Description

An Academy Award Nominee (Best Animated Short Film, 1982), this delightful animation weaves a spell of magical enchantment as a young boy's snowman comes to life and escorts him on a magical flying visit to the North Pole. Absolutely superlative family enjoyment.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

82 of 83 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Memorable and Out of the Ordinary February 4, 2003

By frisky2000 VINE™ VOICE

Format:VHS Tape|Amazon Verified Purchase

Not your usual children's video, THE SNOWMAN will transport you to a magical fantasy world with nothing but moving music and gentle images of this little boy and his wonderful snowy friend. No dialog is needed here, you simply sit back and let yourself relax and enjoy the experience. First time I showed this film to my classroom of four year olds they were fixated to the screen and I was amazed at how much emotion the story evoked in me. I bought the film for my own nieces and they watch it over and over, not just at holiday time. It has now become a classic in our own children's video library. A must have for the entire family.

54 of 54 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Snowman January 8, 2000

By A Customer

Format:VHS Tape

The first time I was able to view this film was with my son's preschool group. The class was silent and all the children sat in awe of the magnificent journey of James and the Snowman. Once the film was finished, they begged the teacher to play it again. I have 7 children ranging in age 14 months to 13 years, and they all love it as well. The touching music and beautiful animation make you feel like you are right there with them on their journey. It brought tears to my eyes when he wakes in the morning to find his snowman gone, but the gift from his trip to visit Santa is still in his pocket, giving him the sense that it wasn't a dream after all.This film has something for everyone.Brilliant!

49 of 50 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The music makes it May 7, 2005

By S Peterson

Format:VHS Tape

I bought this video, indeed searched for it after I heard the snowman's song. I take it out to listen to it often. I wish they would release a sound track or something. The song is haunting and lyrical. It feels like flying through a winter sky should feel. Enjoy it for yourself.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Snowman - It makes you cry, it's so wonderful! November 8, 2003

By Linda Keating

Format:VHS Tape|Amazon Verified Purchase

My husband and I first saw this video on public television about 15 years ago and thought it was fabulous, and anxiously waited for it to play during the Christmas season. When our daughter was born, it was finally available on VHS and she would sit mesmerized watching the color and and listening to the music throughout the movie. She wouldn't move as she sat in my lap and watched. There is not one little thing that is violent or scary -- just wonderful! It is a very special movie to share with your family!

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Winter Enchantment November 27, 1999

By Prestinhalf

Format:VHS Tape|Amazon Verified Purchase

I have seen this film dozens of times, and every time it has the same effect on me. As if by magic, I am transported just like the little boy when his beloved snowman takes his hand and they fly to a frozen land of enchantment. The flying sequence, along with the beautiful music, is just breathtaking. And the innocence of story, even Raymond Briggs short introduction, is absolutely charming. I recommend this for "children" of all ages.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars What you wish all childrens videos were like. . . November 21, 1999

By Sharer

Format:VHS Tape

Excellent music, glowing illustrations, a story that's sweet but not cloyinginly so--this lovely little movie was a favorite of my children's from toddlerhood on. The story of a small boy showing a snowman around his house is simple enough for a 1-year-old to grasp, especially since it is told without words. But the humor and magic of the film (especially the flight to the North Pole) continue to captivate my 5-year-old. And, the music and artwork is so superior to typical childrens movie fare, you actually don't mind hearing it for the 45th time.

41 of 49 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars False advertising by amazon November 20, 2006

By Susan Morris

Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase

What a delightful tale this is, too bad it is missing the warm and wonderful intro by David Bowie THAT IT CLAIMS TO HAVE ON IT BUT DOES NOT!!!! The David Bowie bit was the main reason I bought this, I already have it on tape. He should not be listed in the credits in the description nor on the DVD itself, false advertising, shame on Amazon. In fact looking at this very page it says by ".....David Bowie...", ridiculous.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A memorable holiday experience... July 17, 2000

By Roshanak Mehdibeigi

Format:VHS Tape

The little boy in this lovely tale so perfectly represents kids in that great age of wonder and imagination where everything is possible; every dream and every adventure. When I first saw The Snowman (some 18 years ago!), it left me with such a heart warming impression that even to this day every time I watch the film, I become that little girl who was so taken in awe and admiration after the first viewing of the film. This film is a great family movie where both kids and adults will enjoy its beautiful tale, and a holiday must. I especially recommand it to all of us who are still a kid at heart and are eager to recapture a little of bit of that sense of childhood magic and wonder- amid the chaotic world of being a grown up!